What Notice Did the Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Issue to Rahul Gandhi Regarding Voter List Allegations?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Notice Issued: A. Sreenivas has formally requested documents from Rahul Gandhi.
- Allegations: Concerns raised about voter list integrity in Haryana.
- Response Required: Gandhi must respond within ten days.
- Legal Framework: Proceedings will follow the Representation of the People's Act, 1950.
- Public Trust: Allegations highlight the need for transparency in elections.
Chandigarh, Aug 10 (NationPress) The Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, A. Sreenivas, has issued a formal notice to Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, requesting him to provide documentation supporting his allegations concerning the state elections held on August 7.
In the notice, Gandhi is required to submit a signed declaration and relevant details regarding the alleged discrepancies in the voter list within a span of ten days.
The notice highlights that during a recent press conference in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the issue pertains to the inclusion of purportedly ineligible voters while excluding eligible ones from the Haryana voter list.
"Documents related to this matter should be submitted within the stipulated time so that appropriate actions can be undertaken," it stated.
The Chief Electoral Officer urged Gandhi to return the signed declaration or oath to the office within the ten-day timeframe, enabling necessary actions to proceed in accordance with the Representation of the People's Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
On Friday, Rahul Gandhi addressed comments made by the Election Commission of India, following his explosive claims of a "significant criminal fraud" in the elections, purportedly involving collusion between the BJP and the election panel.
"The Election Commission demands an affidavit from me, stating I must take an oath. I have already sworn to uphold the Constitution in Parliament," the Congress leader declared in Bengaluru.
He further alleged that the Election Commission's websites in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar have been taken offline.
"Today, as the citizens of the nation seek clarity about our data, the Election Commission has shut down its website. They understand that if the public begins to question them, their entire structure will crumble," Rahul Gandhi emphasized.
However, should Gandhi fail to sign the declaration, it could imply a lack of belief in his own analysis and resultant claims, which could lead to calls for him to apologize to the nation.